The older my son gets, the more I realize I've forgotten of really basic academic things, Geography included. When I saw this game at the book/toy store where I work, I took the first opportunity to borrow the demo copy. I hoped it would be fun, but I was really thinking I might be able to improve my basic US geography before my 6 year old gets old enough to figure out how little I know!

10 Days in the USA
10 Days in the USA is a tile placement "board" game where 2 to 4 players 10 and older try to organize 10 day trips around the United states. During the course of your 10 day expedition, you can walk, fly, drive, or a combination of all three. The first player to successfully complete a 10 day trip wins.

What You get
1 map game board
4 sets of dark blue wooden tile holders
50 color-coded state tiles
10 color-coded airplane tiles
6 automobile tiles

Set Up
Open up the game board so that all players can see it. The game board is really just a map. Players need to be able to see it for reference, but you won't be doing anything else with it.

Give each player a set of wooden tile holders. One holder has the days 1 through 5 listed on it, the other holder has the days 6 through 10. Holders should be positioned so that when the tiles are stood in them, opponents cannot see each other's tiles.

Finally, mix up the tiles thoroughly and put them in a face down pile.

How to Play

1st Phase of the Game
At the start of the game, all players (without taking turns) draw 10 tiles (1 at a time) from the pile of tiles. After they draw each tile, they choose a place for it in their tile holders. Once they have placed the tile, it cannot be moved.

Once all players have drawn and placed their 10 tiles, gather up the remaining tiles and make one stack to draw from. Place it within reach of all players. Then, draw the top 3 tiles from this stack, turn them face up, then lay them side by side next to the draw stack. These are the three discard piles.

2nd Phase of the Game
Decide who goes first (we usually play multiple games in a sitting and alternate who goes first).

The first player draws either the top tile from the draw pile, or chooses the top tile from any of the three discard piles. Then, he either trades it with any of the 10 tiles already in his holder, or he discards it.

Winning the Game
Both your first and your last day must be a state tile. The rules of travel from state to state are that you can walk from one state to any state that it shares a border with. You can drive from any state, through one state that shares a border with that state, and then onto a state that shares a border with that one. Finally, you can fly from one state to any other state that is the same color, in an airplane that is the same color as both of them. There are special rules for flying to and from Alaska and Hawaii. Whenever you use an airplane or an automobile tile, these take up one whole day of travel. So, if you use one airplane and one automobile card, you will only travel to 8 states.

When you think you have planned an entire 10 day trip, announce that you've won, turn your days to face your opponent, and show them how you've made all of your connections.

What We Like

Quality Components
Everything here is nicely made. The tile holders are solid wood. The map is thick and durable. The tiles are very thick.

Makes a good 2 player game
We have not tried this game yet with more than 2 players, but my husband and I have played many games that are listed for 2 - 4 players but that play significantly better with 3 or 4. Which is a big bummer when you've purchased the game to play as a couple.

Doesn't Take Long to Play
The box states that the estimated play time is 20 minutes. That's pretty accurate. We usually play about 3 games in a session, and it takes about an hour. This makes the game short enough that we can get it out on a whim, but not so short that it's over before we've begun to think.

It's Educational
As you play, you will definitely be thinking about US geography. After about 6 games I am finding that I'm beginning to really know where things are on the map that I could only guess at before having this game. I would love to have had this game in about 5th grade. In addition to just where the states are on the map, each tile shows the state capital, lists the population, and the square miles.

It's Just Plain Fun
We just enjoy this game. We get really competitive about it and the mechanics work really well.

You Don't Have to Know Geography at All to Play
I know people who play this game without the map! I hope someday to be able to do that. But, for now I'm just not there. Thanks to the map, you don't have to know any geography. Just bear in mind that the longer you spend staring at that map trying to find Iowa, the more you reveal to your partner how little you know! It really can get embarrassing.

What We Don't Like
I have no complaints about this game. However, my husband is really bothered by the fact that this is sold as a board game. He thinks it's misleading since the board is actually just a map that is used for reference and no play happens on this map. He's right, but the fact of the matter is I need that map! And, it's hard for me to care about this technicality when I'm having so much fun.

Age Range
I wish my son was old enough for this game, but he's just not. Yes, he's gifted and he has no trouble reading the state names and finding them on the map, but the strategy here is fairly complex and I think it would take him a really long time to make a 10 day trip (he's only 6). I think he'll be ready long before the estimated age of 10 and up, but I think the 10 and up age range listed on the box is basically accurate.

Final Thoughts
For the list price of about $20, this game is well worth purchasing for older children and adults. You don't need to know a lick of US geography to play, and it is indeed a fun way to learn some. The game itself is very fun, competitive, and quick to play. We love it.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): Free
Type of Toy: Game
Age Range of Child: Other